Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recent visit to Uganda unveiled a set of 10 guiding principles that will dictate India’s engagement with Africa. The 10 guiding points Modi outlined in his speech are:-

1. According ''top'' priority

India shares a structured engagement with African countries under the framework of India Africa Forum Summit (IAFS).

The Government of India in March 2018 approved the opening of 18 new Indian Missions in Africa to implement the commitments under 3 IAFS-III over a period of four years from 2018-2021.

2. Guided by African priorities

Four main pillars embody India''s development partnership approach with Africa: capacity building and training under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC), Lines Of Credit (LOC) or concessional loans and grant assistance, trade and investments.

From being the fourth-largest investor in the continent, to being the largest employer, to capacity-building initiatives for local youth, India is continuously working on developing its multi-dimensional relationship with Africa. The biggest challenge for Indian LOC-funded initiatives in Africa is ensuring effective and timely implementation of projects.

3. Open markets and supporting industries to invest

India''s trade with Africa in 2017-2018 was pegged at US$62.66 billion, reflecting an increase of nearly 22 percent over the previous year.

Indian initiatives like Focus Africa (2002), Duty-Free Tariff Preference Scheme (DFTP) for Least Developing Countries (2008), and the institution IAFS and private-led conclaves like Confederation of Indian Industries-EXIM Bank Conclave on India Africa Project Partnership have succeeded in lifting bilateral trade and investments to new heights. There are three primary constraints to Africa-India trade:

1. Limited access to trade finance
2. Transport and logistics costs
3. Limited market information and knowledge

On the investments front, the Indian government supports the increasing investment in Africa, and extends support to all African nations to process natural resources in Africa itself. With a steady annual growth rate of over seven percent and transformative taxation reforms in place like the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST), India has emerged as a transparent and integrated market with greater ease of doing business.

It is crucial for India to enter into Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (BIPA) with major African countries to encourage investments.

4. Improving Africa''s agriculture

There is great potential for stepping up India-Africa collaboration in the agriculture sector. Promoting agribusiness by launching incubation centers has been a critical component of India''s agricultural partnership with Africa.

For Agriculture co-operation four main types of institutions/ components have been proposed :-

1. Vocational Training Institutes/Incubation Centres
2. The Agri-Business Incubation (ABI) programme
3. Food-testing laboratories
4. Soil testing and Soil Health Card

Pulses, of which India faces a shortage, are a major import tem for India from Mozambique and Tanzania. India is also looking to take its cooperative/contract-farming model to African countries, especially in Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, and Malawi.

5. Peacekeeping, Defence and Security Cooperation

Peace and security entails not just traditional or hard notions of security connected to military strength and protection from external threats, but also non-traditional threats such as food security, energy security, and immigration.

Over 6,000 Indians currently serve in five peacekeeping operations in Africa 13 wearing blue helmets working to ensure a future of peace for Africans. There has also been an increased presence of African delegations at Indian defence exhibitions such as Defence Expo and Aero India in recent years.

6. Open and Free Oceans

India aims to enhance cooperation with African countries in order to keep the oceans open and free for the benefit of all nations.

Complemented by PM Modi''s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and SAGARMALA (port development) initiatives, the AAGC (Asia Africa Growth Corridor), with Africa being an equal partner, can potentially be a game-changer in the Indian Ocean Region.

While African countries have been significant beneficiaries of Indian Navy''s HA/DR missions, the latest example came in the aftermath of ''Cyclone Idai''.

7. Terrorism

India and Africa both recognise that terrorism poses the single biggest threat to humanity and development. Over the years, India has provided training of African military personnel at various Indian institutes.

India and Africa also want the international community to urgently work towards finalising and adopting the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism by the UN General Assembly.

8. Cyber Security and Digital Revolution

India, Africa, and the rest of the world is facing new challenges due to development of new technologies. Cyber security is thus a vital component of digital infrastructure.

The best example of India''s digital cooperation with Africa is the Pan African e-Network (PAeN) project on tele-education and tele-medicine, launched in 2004.

In September 2018, India''s Ministry of External Affairs launched a new network project - eVidyaBharati and e-ArogyaBharati (e-VBAB).

9. Addressing the challenge of Climate Change

The adverse effects of climate change threaten to derail the gains made by decades of economic growth in India and Africa. Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change While the common responsibilities are reflected in the Nationally Determined Contributions of all parties, both India and African countries believe that differentiation in responsibilities should also be reflected.

One core dimension of India and Africa''s climate change agenda is promoting green technology. Both commitments to climate action are reflected in India''s SDG commitments and Africa''s Agenda 2063. The most prominent example of the India-Africa sustainable development partnership is reflected through the India and France-led International Solar Alliance (ISA) .

10. Just, Representative, Democratic Global Order

India -the world''s largest democracy representing one-sixth of humanity, and Africa - with more than a quarter of UN members, cannot be kept out of the decision-making table. Developing countries must be adequately represented and should have a genuine voice in institutions of global governance.

Democratic reforms in global institutions are essential. This is why India and Africa have voiced their support for expanding both permanent and non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council.